By Second-home insurance in 60 seconds
Two contract types
- Extension of main MRH : cheapest, only if main residence is also in France.
- Dedicated résidence secondaire contract : required for non-residents, better cover.
- Both must include civil liability + risques locatifs if let out.
Vacancy clauses to watch
- Theft cover often suspended after 60-90 days of continuous vacancy.
- Water-damage cover may require water cut-off when leaving.
- Notify the insurer before any extended absence.
What is a "résidence secondaire" in French insurance terms ?
A résidence secondaire is any property you own where you spend less than 8 months per year. The qualification is fiscal as well as insurance-related : the property is taxed differently (taxe d'habitation still applies in 2026, taxe foncière at usual rates), and insurance contracts treat it as higher-risk than a main residence.
Common situations :
- Holiday home in France owned by non-residents (most common expat case) ;
- Second home for French residents : countryside or coast retreat ;
- Pied-à-terre in Paris kept while living elsewhere ;
- Investment property let out part of the year, used by the owner the rest of the time ;
- Inherited property kept rather than sold.
If the property is occupied by a long-term tenant (12-month lease), it's not a résidence secondaire from your point of view : it's a rental investment. See our PNO (propriétaire non-occupant) guide for that case.
Extension of main MRH vs dedicated contract
Extension of your main residence MRH
If your main residence is also in France, most insurers offer to add the second home as a "résidence secondaire annexe" on the existing contract. Adds 30-50% to the main premium : usually cheaper than a dedicated contract.
Pros : single contract, single billing, often discount for being an existing customer.
Cons : cover terms inherit from the main contract : you can't tailor it specifically. Some insurers cap the extension to homes within a fixed distance of the main residence (50–200 km).
Dedicated résidence secondaire contract
Mandatory for non-resident owners : if your main residence is abroad, French insurers won't extend an MRH from a non-French main contract. You need a dedicated French contract for the property.
Pros : tailored cover (vacancy clauses, theft levels, garden equipment, swimming pool), more flexibility on rental-let scenarios.
Cons : separate billing, higher base premium (€350-€700 typical vs €200-€400 for an extension).
If you're a non-resident owner
Specific issues you'll encounter as a non-resident with a French property :
- Direct debit from a foreign IBAN : most insurers accept SEPA mandates from any Eurozone bank, but some still require a French bank account. Open a French bank account if needed (Boursobank or Revolut work).
- Long-distance damage assessment : if you have a claim while abroad, a partner expert visits the property without you. Have a local trusted contact (neighbour, syndic, gardener) able to provide access.
- French postal address required for the contract documentation. The insurance attestation can be sent to your foreign address but is often issued in French.
- Cover during your absence is the trickiest part. Most contracts have vacancy clauses (see next section) that suspend or reduce theft cover after a continuous absence period : usually 60-90 days.
- Holiday-let income changes your contract type. If you Airbnb the property, declare it ; otherwise the insurer may refuse a guest-related claim.
Selectra-vetted partners offering second-home contracts to non-residents : AXA Connect Habitation Risque Locatif, Allianz Propriétaire Non Occupant, Pacifica (Crédit Agricole) PNO, April International Habitation.
Vacancy clauses : the fine print every owner must read
A vacancy clause (clause d'inhabitation) is a contractual provision that limits or suspends certain coverages when the property is unoccupied for an extended period.
Theft cover
The most common vacancy clause : theft cover is suspended or capped after 60 to 90 days of continuous vacancy. Some insurers require :
- Reinforced security : armoured door, three-point lock, alarm system ;
- Caretaker visits : someone passes by every 7-15 days ;
- Notification if the absence will exceed 30 days.
Water damage cover
Many contracts require you to cut off the main water valve when leaving for more than 7 days in winter. Failure can lead to refused claims if frozen pipes burst. Some insurers also require draining the heating system.
Frost (gel) clause
For mountain or northern France properties : minimum heating must be maintained at 8°C, OR water and heating cut off entirely. Failure voids frozen-pipe claims.
Renting it out as a holiday let
If you let your French second home as a seasonal rental (Airbnb, Booking, gîte, Vrbo, direct rental), additional coverage applies.
Legal distinction : seasonal vs long-term
- Location saisonnière : guests stay less than 90 days. Owner declares it as a "meublé de tourisme" if regular activity. Subject to specific local regulations (Paris, Marseille, Lyon, etc.).
- Long-term rental (12-month lease) : the property is no longer a résidence secondaire : it's a rental investment. PNO contract needed.
Coverage you need for a holiday let
- Civil liability extended to guests : if a guest injures themselves on a wobbly stair or by an unmaintained pool, you're liable.
- Damage by guests (déprédation locative) : guests have insurance only for damage they personally cause, but the cover often won't pay for vandalism or negligence.
- Loss of rental income (perte de loyers) after a covered claim : if a fire makes the property uninhabitable for 3 months, the insurer compensates for the lost bookings.
- Theft by guests : usually a separate option, since the standard "vol" clause excludes occupants.
Airbnb / Booking AirCover
Airbnb provides "AirCover for Hosts" up to $3M per booking. Booking.com has similar Partner Liability Insurance. These don't replace your French MRH : they overlap with it. Without a French contract, you're personally liable for water damage to neighbours, public-area incidents, and anything outside the platform's narrow definition.
How much does second-home insurance cost ?
Live monthly premium ranges across the 18 active home insurance offers, by owner profile. Figures are pulled from our Insurance API and aggregate every published formula, so the spread reflects the actual market — not editorial estimates.
| Owner profile | Cheapest | Average | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second-home owner — house | €14.15 / mo | €34.34 / mo | €96.45 / mo |
| Second-home owner — flat | €7.06 / mo | €15.38 / mo | €29.52 / mo |
Live data · Selectra Insurance API · Updated 14 May 2026. Premiums for a primary residence ; second-home contracts typically run 30-50% higher due to vacancy and theft risk.
A second-home contract typically prices 30-50% higher than a primary residence for the same property profile, because of two structural risk uplifts : extended vacancy (fewer eyes on the property to spot leaks or burglary early) and a higher claim severity ratio (when something goes wrong, no one is there to mitigate). Concrete factors that drive your individual quote :
- Property type and surface : studio, flat, house ; built area in m².
- Exact postal code : flood, theft and natural-disaster risk are calibrated locally.
- Vacancy pattern : how many consecutive days the property is unoccupied between visits.
- Holiday-let activity : whether you rent the property out to short-stay tenants and how often.
- Security : alarm, certified locks, shutters, smoke detectors.
- Claim history on your primary home contract.
Compare second-home offers live
Pick your owner profile in the selector below to see the top 5 cheapest insurers for that property type, with full coverage detail and monthly price. Pulled live from the Insurance API. For a tailored quote with second-home-specific clauses (vacancy, holiday let), use the advisor service.
Propriétaire occupant d'une maison
Standard
For a well-protected home.
14.15 € /month With a 300.00€ deductible
- Fire & explosion
- Water damage
- Terrorism & attacks
- Theft & vandalism
- Glass breakage : 1,200 €
- Weather events
| Coverages | Standard |
|---|---|
| Mandatory coverages Personal liability, Fire & explosion, Water damage, Natural & technological disasters, Terrorism & attacks | |
| Responsabilité civile mobilière | |
| Protection juridique | |
| Défense et recours | |
| Reconstruction à neuf | |
| Protection des biens extérieurs (canalisations, végétaux, abris de jardin) | |
| Assurance Scolaire | |
| Bris de vitres mobilier | |
| Protection piscine | |
| Bris de vitres immobilier | |
| Dommages électriques | |
| Dépannage plomberie | |
| Vêtements et objets de première nécessité | |
| Logement temporaire | |
| Gardiennage | |
| Nettoyage domicile | |
| Garde d’enfants | |
| Garde animaux | |
| Dépannage électricité | |
| Dépannage serrurerie | |
| Lutte contre les nuisibles | |
| Violences intrafamiliales | |
| Weather events | |
| Perte d'usage | |
| Garanties différenciantes habitation | |
| Vol et vandalisme à domicile |
Average customer ratings
Propriétaire occupant d'une maison
Minimum légal
For a well-protected home.
18.54 € /month With a 300.00€ deductible
- Personal liability : 10,000,000 €
- Fire & explosion
- Water damage
- Theft & vandalism
- Glass breakage
- Weather events
- Replacement-cost cover
| Coverages | Minimum légal |
|---|---|
| Mandatory coverages Personal liability, Fire & explosion, Water damage, Natural & technological disasters, Terrorism & attacks | |
| Weather events | |
| Bris de glace | |
| Assurance Scolaire | |
| Responsabilité civile immeuble | |
| Responsabilité civile locative | |
| Dépannage serrurerie | |
| Lutte contre les nuisibles | |
| Vol et vandalisme à domicile | |
| Bris de vitres immobilier | |
| Dommages électriques | |
| Replacement-cost cover | |
| Protection juridique | |
| Responsabilité civile "fête" | |
| Responsabilité civile villégiature |
Average customer ratings
Propriétaire occupant d'une maison
Formule Standard
For a well-protected home.
21.67 € /month With a 300.00€ deductible
- Personal liability : 6,000,000 €
- Fire & explosion
- Water damage : 30,000 €
- Terrorism & attacks
- Theft & vandalism : 30,000 €
- Glass breakage
- Weather events
- Replacement-cost cover
| Coverages | Formule Standard |
|---|---|
| Mandatory coverages Personal liability, Fire & explosion, Water damage, Natural & technological disasters, Terrorism & attacks | |
| Responsabilité civile mobilière | |
| Reconstruction à neuf | |
| Protection des biens extérieurs (canalisations, végétaux, abris de jardin) | |
| Vol et vandalisme auto | |
| Bris de vitres mobilier | |
| Protection juridique | |
| Responsabilité civile chiens dangereux | |
| Assurance Scolaire | |
| Défense et recours | |
| Bris de vitres immobilier | |
| Dommages électriques | |
| Dépannage plomberie | |
| Logement temporaire | |
| Gardiennage | |
| Vêtements et objets de première nécessité | |
| Nettoyage domicile | |
| Garde d’enfants | |
| Garde animaux | |
| Dépannage électricité | |
| Dépannage serrurerie | |
| Weather events | |
| Perte d'usage | |
| Hébergement d'urgence | |
| Clés perdues, brisées ou volées | |
| Responsabilité civile locative | |
| Vol et vandalisme à domicile | |
| Responsabilité civile immeuble | |
| Responsabilité civile villégiature | |
| Rééquipement à neuf | |
| Replacement-cost cover | |
| Protection équipement énergies renouvelables | |
| Responsabilité civile "fête" | |
| Vol à l'extérieur | |
| Frais complémentaires | |
| Assistance psychologique | |
| Rapatriement à domicile | |
| Remise en état | |
| Casse et dommages accidentels |
Average customer ratings
Propriétaire occupant d'une maison
Niveau 0
For a well-protected home.
24.17 € /month With a 280.00€ deductible
- Personal liability
- Fire & explosion
- Water damage
- Terrorism & attacks
- Theft & vandalism
- Glass breakage
- Weather events
| Coverages | Niveau 0 |
|---|---|
| Mandatory coverages Personal liability, Fire & explosion, Water damage, Natural & technological disasters, Terrorism & attacks | |
| Défense et recours | |
| Weather events | |
| Garanties différenciantes habitation | |
| Responsabilité civile "fête" | |
| Responsabilité civile villégiature | |
| Responsabilité civile immeuble | |
| Vol et vandalisme à domicile | |
| Bris de vitres immobilier | |
| Protection piscine | |
| Garantie panne | |
| Protection juridique | |
| Vol à l'extérieur | |
| Bris de vitres mobilier | |
| Remise en état | |
| Perte d'usage | |
| Contenu congélateur | |
| Rapatriement à domicile | |
| Prise en charge des premiers frais médicaux | |
| Rééquipement à neuf | |
| Assurance Scolaire | |
| Hébergement d'urgence | |
| Nettoyage domicile | |
| Assistance psychologique | |
| Dépannage serrurerie | |
| Gardiennage | |
| Garde animaux | |
| Garde d’enfants |
Average customer ratings
Propriétaire occupant d'une maison
Essentiel
For a well-protected home.
53.05 € /month
- Personal liability
- Fire & explosion
- Water damage
- Terrorism & attacks
- Theft & vandalism
- Weather events
| Coverages | Essentiel |
|---|---|
| Mandatory coverages Personal liability, Fire & explosion, Water damage, Natural & technological disasters, Terrorism & attacks | |
| Vol et vandalisme auto | |
| Logement temporaire | |
| Responsabilité civile mobilière | |
| Défense et recours | |
| Bris de glace | |
| Dépannage électricité | |
| Assurance Scolaire | |
| Violences intrafamiliales | |
| Responsabilité civile "fête" | |
| Weather events | |
| Contenu mobilier | |
| Dommages électriques | |
| Vol et vandalisme à domicile | |
| Dépannage plomberie | |
| Dépannage serrurerie | |
| Rapatriement à domicile | |
| Hébergement d'urgence | |
| Gardiennage | |
| Nettoyage domicile | |
| Vêtements et objets de première nécessité | |
| Lutte contre les nuisibles | |
| Responsabilité civile locative | |
| Responsabilité civile immeuble | |
| Responsabilité civile villégiature | |
| Protection juridique | |
| Frais complémentaires | |
| Perte d'usage |
Average customer ratings
Frequently asked questions
Is second-home insurance mandatory ?
If the property is in a condominium (most flats), civil liability is mandatory under the loi ALUR 2014. For independent houses, no legal obligation, but mortgage banks and common sense both push toward full MRH cover.
Can I insure from abroad ?
Yes. AXA Connect, Allianz Worldwide, Fab French Insurance, April International all underwrite second-home contracts from abroad. SEPA mandate from any Eurozone bank ; English documentation available with most.
Can I rent it on Airbnb without telling the insurer ?
No. Article L113-8 of the Code des assurances allows the insurer to void the contract entirely for non-disclosure. Airbnb's AirCover doesn't substitute for declared cover : it overlaps with limits.
What's the maximum vacancy allowed ?
Varies by insurer. Common terms : 60 days continuous (theft cover suspended above), 90 days continuous (full cover suspended above). Read the conditions générales : vacancy clauses vary widely.
Can I extend my main MRH ?
Yes if your main residence is in France. The extension adds 30-50% to your main premium. Some insurers cap the extension to homes within a certain distance of the main residence (50-200 km).